A Fox in the Works
Chapter 5 - What Dreams are These
Yoriko carefully placed the last of her kimono in the gilded box.
"Husband, I have one last favor to ask of you."
"Hai?" Toshiki looked up from the table. She could just barely see the outlines of a new sketch, probably the recent wedding, on the paper before him.
"Now that the wedding is done, Misao will come with me to Court. It is time she learned to be a lady's maid."
The painter's face did not flinch but she could see the panic in his eyes. He drew in a breath to say something.
The princess knelt before her husband and pressed a finger to his lips. "Hush, Toshi-kun. She will be back in the spring as wet nurse to our sons."
He tilted his head to one side.
"You are fortunate the Kakita are known for siring twins."
---
Toshiki lit seven sticks of incense and placed them in the bowl before the statue of Lady Doji in a group of five and an a group of two. After some thought, he placed another stick with the two, bringing the total to eight. He bowed low, pressing his face to the silk pillows in front of the shrine.
O'Lady Doji, wise and fair, please keep them safe…
Iie. Make the world where they will grow and love. That is my gift to you, grandson of my husband's line.
And so he did.
Chapter 5 - What Dreams are These
Yoriko carefully placed the last of her kimono in the gilded box.
"Husband, I have one last favor to ask of you."
"Hai?" Toshiki looked up from the table. She could just barely see the outlines of a new sketch, probably the recent wedding, on the paper before him.
"Now that the wedding is done, Misao will come with me to Court. It is time she learned to be a lady's maid."
The painter's face did not flinch but she could see the panic in his eyes. He drew in a breath to say something.
The princess knelt before her husband and pressed a finger to his lips. "Hush, Toshi-kun. She will be back in the spring as wet nurse to our sons."
He tilted his head to one side.
"You are fortunate the Kakita are known for siring twins."
---
Toshiki lit seven sticks of incense and placed them in the bowl before the statue of Lady Doji in a group of five and an a group of two. After some thought, he placed another stick with the two, bringing the total to eight. He bowed low, pressing his face to the silk pillows in front of the shrine.
O'Lady Doji, wise and fair, please keep them safe…
Iie. Make the world where they will grow and love. That is my gift to you, grandson of my husband's line.
And so he did.